Art Genève 2026 Opens with Confidence, Dialogue, and Strong Early Signals

Luxe magazine Switzerland
3 days ago
2 min read

Under the winter light of Lake Geneva, the 14th edition of Art Genève opened its doors with a distinctly optimistic tone. From the very first hours, collectors, curators, and professionals filled the aisles, reaffirming the fair’s singular position within the European contemporary art landscape.

Now in her third year as director, Charlotte Diwan confirmed the positive momentum:

“We had a very successful opening. The mood was great and exhibitors looked happy. While we will only know the full results at the end of the fair, all signs are positive and so is the atmosphere.”

With 81 commercial galleries and 27 institutional participants, Art Genève welcomed a strong international audience. Curators, artists, and collectors travelled to the city by the lake, bringing total attendance to 7,000 visitors on the first day alone.

Early sales echoed this confidence. Karin Seiz-Meile, partner at Galerie Urs Meile (Zurich), described the opening as impeccably calibrated:

“It’s like a Swiss clockwork we closed important sales within the first few hours, to both public and private collections. A great first impression.”

Long-standing exhibitor Hauser & Wirth shared a similar outlook. Director Grégoire Schnerb noted:

“The atmosphere at Art Genève is positive, a great way to kick off the new year. We are delighted to see both new and familiar faces from important museums and collections, European and beyond. We’ve already made strong sales, including works by Lorna Simpson, Cindy Sherman, Takesada Matsutani, Verena Loewensberg, and Günther Förg.”

Remaining true to its intimate and dialogue-driven spirit, Art Genève continues its mission of fostering meaningful exchange between galleries, institutions, dealers, and collectors. This 14th edition introduces an enriched program featuring immersive installations, performances, talks, guided tours, and curated discoveries throughout the fair. Monumental works and sculptural pieces line the aisles, anchoring the visitor experience in materiality, volume, and spatial presence.

Prix Solo Art Genève – Piaget

Fully embedded in the fair’s DNA, the Solo section presents 16 solo exhibitions, notably by young Swiss and international galleries including Eli Kerr (Montreal), suns.work (Zurich), Temnikova & Kasela Gallery (Tallinn), and Lombardi Kargl (Vienna).

An additional 15 solo presentations are featured within the main section of the fair.

The Prix Solo Art Genève–Piaget was unanimously awarded to Maximilian William (London, booth D39) for its presentation of Reginald Sylvester II. Two works from the winning booth will be acquired and donated to MAMCO, Geneva.

The gallery stated:

“This solo booth marks Reginald Sylvester II’s debut presentation in Switzerland. Part of his ongoing Offering series, the presentation brings together nine new paintings made on industrial rubber, transformed into evocative abstractions through washes of red pigment and layered surfaces. The prize recognises the strength of this latest body of work.”

Art Genève extends its thanks to its partners:

UBS, Piaget, La Mobilière, Harsch, Geneva Free Ports and Warehouses, Piguet Galland & Cie SA, Teo Jakob, Ruinart, La Cave de Genève, La Nébuleuse, Deau Cognac, Manotel & InterContinental.